Waiting On Wednesday: These Broken Stars

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

So, we all know my serious LOVE for gorgeous cover art and this is one to add to my pile of favorites!  I cannot WAIT for Amie Kaufman and  Meagan Spooner's novel, These Broken Stars (Starbound#1) that is due to release December 10^th of 2013!  I mean really, what is not to like?  First off, can we talk about this cover?  Absolutely GORG!  I mean really, I want that green dress!  And can you totally see that there is destined to be a swoon-worthy heartthrob that is helping our beautiful heroine??!! 

It’s no secret that I hold Sci-Fi YAs close to my heart and this one promises to be nothing short of spectacular!  I mean check this out, two young adults (possibly the last two left) that come from completely different backgrounds (uber wealthy and dirt poor) traversing the deserted terrain of random planet x…I mean what could go wrong right?  …or what could go right?! ;-)  Definitely sounds like this one is filled with massive adventure, big decisions and totally swoon-worthy moments that I, for one, cannot wait to dive into!  December, come quickly!

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?

Summary courtesy of Goodreads:

It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone.

Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they’re worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help.

Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever?

Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the same people who landed on it.

The first in a sweeping science fiction trilogy, These Broken Stars is a timeless love story about hope and survival in the face of unthinkable odds.

 

GIVEAWAY HOP: Books to Movies

This hop features 

Books to Movies Giveaway Hop
Hosted by
BOOKHOUNDS & I AM A READER, NOT A WRITER

Participating blogs featuring books that have been made into movies or TV shows.  

The hop runs from August 27th - September 3rd.

MY GIVEAWAY IS...

The Hunger Games (2-Disc Blu-ray + Digital Copy)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The 5th Wave

How many of you watched tonight's release of the Divergent Trailer?  How many of you are now thinking, "March....seriously?!"  Well, if you're like me - the only thing that can tide you over until the release is of course some great reads!  The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey will help quench your thirst and take you for an unexpectedly brilliant ride in this Sci-Fi Dystopian!  

This book has all the crucial makings of the best of the best: strong & independent heroine, global devastation, little hope for success, an impossible love and a force strong enough to make the impossible possible.  Yancey is a master at world-building.  This is not your typical "alien invasion" novel.  I constantly felt as if the walls around this story grew, expanded, pulsed with life and sharpened with every word written.  I could feel the cold concrete and taste the gritty earth.  Amazing! The beginning could feel a little slow if I hadn't been falling in love with the world-building, but there were so many moments where I found myself thinking, "whoa, what?" or "Ah? OoooOOO!" The twists and  turns and revelations will keep you guessing until the very end...and even after will leave you wondering!  

Yancy also creates a dynamic read by telling this story from a few POVs.  At first this may seem a little confusing, but this style really helps to give the reader a 360 view of the story and adds increasing depth, much more than you would get from a first-person only point of view.

This is not your mama's alien invasion story.  This is a story of survival, trust, love, and humanity.  The 5th Wave has amazing potential on the big screen as well.  Action packed through and through and for you fans of Sci-Fi, this is definitely one not to be missed.   Sony has purchased the movie rights to this epic series!  If you have not done so yet, add this one to your readers! 

Summary courtesy of Goodreads: 

After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one. 

Now, it’s the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth’s last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie’s only hope for rescuing her brother—or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up.

Waiting on Wednesday: Rebel Belle

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

I am extremely excited for a few books this Wednesday, but one that I would particularly like to highlight is Rebel Belle by beloved Hex Hall series author, Rachel Hawkins!  We all already know how much I heart great covers and this one is pink AND girly and I absolutely love it!  The delicate pearls highlight that this will be slightly girly but the dagger promises to anything but "girly."  Can you say beauty queen, southern belle turns ninja warrior?  I mean who doesn't need a little kickass southern belle in their lives?  This promises to be a perfect weekend/Spring Break read and the synopsis leaves me so hungry for more!  Can April 2014 be here any sooner?  Please....

Summary courtesy of Goodreads:

Harper Price, peerless Southern belle, was born ready for a Homecoming tiara. But after a strange run-in at the dance imbues her with incredible abilities, Harper's destiny takes a turn for the seriously weird. She becomes a Paladin, one of an ancient line of guardians with agility, super strength and lethal fighting instincts. 

Just when life can't get any more disastrously crazy, Harper finds out who she's charged to protect: David Stark, school reporter, subject of a mysterious prophecy and possibly Harper's least favorite person. But things get complicated when Harper starts falling for him--and discovers that David's own fate could very well be to destroy Earth. 

With snappy banter, cotillion dresses, non-stop action and a touch of magic, this new young adult series from bestseller Rachel Hawkins is going to make y'all beg for more.

The Meme Plague

For those of you who fell in love with Angie Smibert’s series Memento Nora, the saga continues with the third installation, The Meme Plague that released today, August 13, 2013.  The Meme Plague delivers some exciting new character development as well as resumes the quest to retrieve lost memories from the TFC (Therapeutic Forgetting Clinic). 

Let me start by saying that compared to Memento Nora and The Forgetting Curve, The Meme Plague does not feel as much the action packed adventure you might be accustomed to based on the other two books, which surprised me as this is the finale in the series.  That being said, there are key storylines that really come to the forefront and are highlighted that weave a web that altogether creates an amazingly interesting story that builds to a dynamic end.

Nora's parents are in a battle for custody, Aiden is attempting to create new chips that are immune to government programming but still pass the authenticity tests and our group of rebels are hiding routers all around the city to launch their non-corrupted internet.  Can these friends stop the governmental corruption and tyranny?

This is a great short read that is sure to entertain and engage!  Definitely one to add to your list! 

Summary courtesy of Goodreads: 

In this third and final installment in the Memento Nora series, Micah and Nora piece their memories together as Aiden, Velvet, and Winter continue the the work of the MemeCast. The teens all band together to get the word out about the new ID chips - and how the government and TFC are using the chips to manipulate the public remotely.

ARC Review: Crown of Midnight

So, I know I join a lot of you when I say that I have been waiting for Sarah J. Maas' Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass #2) for what feels like FOREVER.  That being said, I had the amazing and wonderful privilege of being included in Literary Lushes ARC Tour for this long awaited read, and let me tell you, it is definitely worth the wait!  Crown of Midnight, which releases August 27th, 2013, will not disappoint you eager readers who are longing for more action-filled adventure, deceit, love and magic.  Maas really hits a home run with her second installment in the Throne of Glass series that will keep you urgently turning pages until the very last page (and even after the last page I kept flipping the page hoping there was more)!

Crown of Midnight picks up right where Throne of Glass left off with Celaena deep in action as the King's newly appointed Champion, but there is more than meets the eye with this story and Celaena has secrets of her own; secrets from the King, secrets from her friends and secrets even from herself.  Who can she trust and where do her loyalties truly lie?  Can Celaena finally find something worth for?  This installation is so packed with revelations, twists and turns that will keep you engaged from page one until the very end.  

Mass does an amazing job by further developing the complexity of the characters throughout this novel.  There are still remnants of the Celaena-Dorian-Chaol love triangle, but it has dissolved slightly.  Don't get me wrong, there are still super steamy moments that will leave you breathless but not as much of the "she's mine" "no she's mine" moments.  We learn more about what really is behind the actions these characters make and learn that the trio really do have each other's best interests at heart but they each also have their own separate and distinct drama within their own story that they are trying to sort out.  

The storyline is so wonderfully complex that you will fall deep into this web and still come out in one piece!  Maas is a master at weaving a perfect and seamless tapestry that has such intricate detail up close but when you step away tells a full and robust story that will pull you in, chew you up and spit you out and you will still ask for more!

If you liked Throne of Glass you will fall in love all over again with Crown of Midnight! Between Celaena's wonderfully complex and sometimes (ok all the time) arrogant personality and witty banter and her ever-increasing bad-assness and of course the swoon-worthy moments (and let me tell you they are IN HERE) you will absolutely be left breathless by the end.  If you are still on the fence and are considering this book (which really, have I not convinced you yet?), stop and add to your TBR pile now!  The only drawback is that you will have to wait another year for #3 to release....

HUUUUGE thanks again to the lovely ladies at Literary Lushes!  They have an excellent program running and if you haven't checked them out yet, I strongly encourage it!  They can be found here: or on Twitter @LitLushes.

ANTITHESIS Book Tour: Review + Giveaway

My name is Gavyn. 

Liam doesn’t care that I only have one arm. He actually likes my red hair and freckles. I might forgive him for kidnapping me. 

My name is Gavyn. 

I lost my Liam. I’ve lost them all. And now it’s my job to make sure they don’t show up again.  

My name is Gavyn. 

I had a life with Liam, but he couldn’t give me what I need. Then I killed his father. I don’t expect he’ll forgive me for that. 

My name is Gavyn.

Okay, how many of you are like, "What?" "Huh?" "Uhhhh..." That was exactly my reaction at first sight too.  When I first read the synopsis, I was like, "Ummm...okay?  So this is about Gavyn who has red hair and one arm..."  Let me tell you though, Antithesis by Kacey Vanderkarr is so much more than this synopsis.  In fact, that vagueness is what initially drew me in.  I had to know more.  So on one hand this was a stroke of genius for our YA world where by reading a back cover you can almost guess (sometimes with accuracy) where the story is going and how it will end.  I mean really, what's the point of a story like that?  I do hope that people don't pass up this book because of the simplistic blurb...but their loss I suppose!

Without giving too much away let me just tell you that Vanderkarr does a great job building the characters, the settings, the adrenaline and the anticipation.  I personally love the banter between Gavyn and Liam as their journey unfolds.  Gavyn is such a sassy-pants, strong but cynical girl with a major chip on her shoulder (who wouldn't if you grew up a self proclaimed frizzy "ginger" with one arm).  As far as Gavyn, he clearly has a secret that he's hiding with his sarcasm and charm.  That bad boy/knight-in-shining-armor/I-have-a-secret thing goes a long way!  As far as the plot and storyline, let me just say that this paranormal-romance will have you wondering what ripples are caused by your small everyday actions.

If you're looking for a mind-bending read, add Antithesis to your e-reader and prepare yourself.  Filled with unexpected twists and turns and swoon-worthy moments, Antithesis is unlike the other "YA sci-fi romances" you will find out there.  Antithesis will take you on a high-octane ride that will have you guessing until the very end!  

About the author:

Kacey Vanderkarr is a young adult author. She dabbles in fantasy, romance, and sci-fi, complete with faeries, alternate realities, and the occasional plasma gun. She’s known to be annoyingly optimistic and listen to music at the highest decibel. When she’s not writing, she coaches winterguard and works as a sonographer. Kacey lives in Michigan, with her husband, son, crazy cats, and two bearded dragons. Visit www.kaceyvanderkarr.com for more information.

Twitter: @kacimari

Blog: www.kaceyvanderkarr.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kacey-Vanderkarr-Young-Adult-Author/128956043852072 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Waiting On Wednesday: The Starkillers Cycle

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Eeeee!  What an exciting Wednesday this is indeed!  News has just officially broke that beloved writers, Sarah Maas and Susan Dennard have joined forces to co-author The Starkillers Cycle, an exciting saga that will be available online (updated as they write) for free to showcase the gradual process of this side project and shared into the sphere of readerships everywhere.  I must warn that this saga does appear to be for those readers 18 years of age or more based on strong adult themes (cursing, violence, sexytimes, etc).

Exciting Summary via Starkillers Cycle:

Perfect for fans of epic sci-fi and steamy romance, THE STARKILLERS CYCLE is a serialized space opera set in a diverse and cutthroat galaxy. From an escaped convict with blood on her hands to a society girl turned fighter pilot, follow a sweeping cast of characters as they learn the galaxy is a far bigger—and more terrifying—place than they ever imagined. 

You can currently read the first two chapters here and if they get enough interest they will share the first 8 chapters in three weeks time!  So what are you waiting for?  Subscribe now and celebrate this journey of creative venture for two of our favorite lovely writers!

Love these ladies!

Release Day: A Tale of Two Centuries and Control

Today is an extremely exciting day!  Today, we have two amazing novels releasing into the wonderful reading world of YA.  It's always thrilling to see these books come to fruition, especially knowing that behind each book is hours of grueling work, drafts, revisions, PR, cover design, marketing, etc!  I know as an avid reader, I seriously respect the dedication and perseverance that these authors, editors and publishers take to get these pretties in our hands!  So, thank you, thank you!

Now, on to the debuts!

First off, we have Rachel Harris' long awaited A Tale of Two Centuries (My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century #2)!  I must admit that I did not read the first in the series, My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century, but that being said, I don't believe that the two are dependent on each other.  ATOTC is strong enough and complete enough to stand on it's own...I am sure however, that if you are reading the series this just adds that additional layer of information!  So what am I saying?  Well basically, whether or not you have read the first in the series do NOT hesitate to pick up A Tale of Two Centuries! 

Let me start off by saying that I was instantly drawn to the cover art.  I am a sucker for a pretty book and this one is absolutely gorgeous! I seriously love it when a cover can sweep you off your feet.  They say you eat with your eyes, and like a good meal I think a well thought out book cover can set the tone before cracking that first page...

Yes, this is a story of time-travel.  No this is not Sci-Fi by any stretch of the imagination.  We find ourselves in the 16th Century with Alessandra (Less) longing to marry for love and yearning to become an actress but in a situation where neither seems possible and to top it off she finds her heart broken by betrayal, but alas that is what sets events in motion...

I cannot even start to explain to you all how much this story absolutely made me blush and fall in love all over again!  The characters are wonderfully developed throughout the novel and they continue to grow and mature right in front of your eyes.  It's so wonderful to see the exterior of the "Hot Bad Boy" fall away into the wonderful leading man we love to see as well as to see our main heroine, Alessandra's (Less) adventure being as she becomes more comfortable in her own skin and really be allowed to show who she really is inside (a wild and free spirited) as she's introduced to the modern world. 

I highly recommend this book to all of you who are looking for adventure, love and a twist that, I tell you now, you will NOT expect!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now, it's time to switch gears...our next review takes a shift for the dystopian future and we find ourselves with Shifter, Scott Tyler on the ride of his life in Control (Shift, #2) by Kim Curran.  Control also plays with the "time travel" idea but on a very different level.  Our main protagonist is a shifter which means that by the power of thought he can change the surrounding reality.  This concept is really something very intriguing and something that Curran does an excellent job explaining.  Also, as a side note, and more and more seemingly rare to the YA genre, this novel is told from the male POV which I really enjoyed.

Just by looking at the cover art for Control you can instantly tell this will be a high-def read!  What a dynamic cover that really pulled me in from the get-go!

Control is another second in a series that can also act as a standalone but let me be honest when I say, that after you finish this book you will want both the first (Shift) and the third!  This is a fast-paced, action-packed, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of book and boy, what a ride!  Curran plays with similar ideas to the Butterfly Effect...eventually you need to stand by your decisions.  What is the truth when you keep changing the past and the present alters?  The outcome might not be all you wished for...You will not be disappointed as you join Scott and girlfriend, Aubrey on their grand adventure that will uncover a world filled with amazing as well as truly frightening and suspenseful moments!

Gorgeous by Paul Rudnick

Who doesn't love a great retelling of a classic fairytale?  A unique spin on an old-time classic tale. That is exactly what Paul Rudnick did with Gorgeous.  On the surface this story might feel very Young Adult (rags to riches), but when you start to peel back the layers, Rudnick really creates a story for all ages with lessons in self discovery, social media, influence and the dissection of wealth, power and beauty in a way that is very accessible to those young and old. 

Imagine living an ordinary life, having an ordinary job with ordinary dreams and aspirations.  Then you turn 18 and find yourself with a rude life awakening when you come home to find you only living parent dead.  With nowhere to turn and just a mysterious phone number to follow, Becky Randle beings her journey in this coming of age Cinderella-like story.  

Becky meets influential designer, Tom Kelly who offers Becky the deal of a lifetime, one she could not possibly decline: he’ll design three dresses to transform Becky from a nothing special girl into the most beautiful woman who ever lived - Rebecca Randle.  Rebecca soon finds herself on the cover of magazines and starring in movies and falling for the heir to the British Throne, Gregory, Prince of England!  This newfound beauty of course comes with perks as well as disadvantages and of course there is a catch: Becky needs to fall in love and get married within a year to retain her beauty.  But what happens when Becky finds herself in love but wonders if the love in return is for kind-hearted Becky or gorgeous Rebecca?

From the comedic Rocher and the outrageous Tom Kelly to the eccentric Queen of England (and her pack of corgis) and everyone in between, Rudnick does an amazing job building an outstanding cast of characters who all play a role in shaping this unique story.  The plot is delicately mapped out and the stories intertwined to create a perfect web that is set to entangle your interest.  The pace is just about right, maybe a little slow out of the gate but certainly picking up speed and setting a racing pace for the end that will keep you guessing how this Cinderella story will unfold.  This is a perfect read for that trip to the beach or for an upcoming book club to discuss some very real issues that we all face in today's world.

Lessons Learned from The Bone Season

To help shake things up on the blog, I have decided to create a list of "Lessons Learned" after a book I have recently read (I know this would be better with dynamic gifs but I have not perfected those skills yet, so my lovely readers, you get words, not well thought out gifs).  So here goes...after reading The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon, I now know the following to be true:

1. Never walk the streets alone.  You really never know when some darkness might be lurking in the dark alleys and corners of streets as you're walking home from your job, even if you've walked it 1,000 times before and nothing bad has every happened...

2. Take the time to learn self defense.  Seriously!  It never ceases to amaze me how basic self defense skills continually help our YA heroines in time of desperation.

3. Make sure you have friends and allies in low and high places.  Never underestimate those that might come in handy.  Sometimes it helps to have a friend in strategic and powerful positions and sometimes it's helpful to have friends on the ground that can give you the real scoop on the situation.  As the Garth Brooks song goes, "I've got friends in low places...and I'll be okay."

4. Never underestimate the power you have within.  You might not know it now, but YOU ARE POWERFUL.  Seriously, we are the makers of our destiny and we are also the main character and leading lady of our life's production...so go out there and win that Academy Award.

5. Always try to help someone in need.  Favors in any world don't go overlooked and its handy when someone "owes you."  Do the right thing and it might just save your life in the end...Think, Thresh from The Hunger Games: "Just this one time, I let you go.  For Rue. No more owed." 

6. Sometimes the one you love isn't the most convenient.  We really can't help those we fall in love with.  Sometimes it's tragic and really unfortunate (i.e. Romeo and Juliet) but we can't tell our hearts who to beat for.  Hopefully we fall for those who at least bring out the best in us.

7. Trains seem to be the mode of transport of the future (Bone Season, Divergent, Hunger Games).  Seriously, this might seem random, but does anyone else see a pattern here?  Anyone?  We always knew it, but seriously BUY Reading Railroad and you're on your way to success!

This review is based off of reading an ARC copy of The Bone Season graciously toured by Literary Lushes!  They have an excellent program running and if you haven't checked them out yet, I strongly encourage it!  They can be found here: or on Twitter @LitLushes.

The Coldest Girl In Coldtown

So, I don't even know where to start with this review...I think I've written it 4 different ways already and still have not come up with the best way to say that, yes this is another vampire book but no, it's not just ANOTHER vampire book. The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black wickedly portrays the vampire theme in a refreshingly dark and twisted new way that will leave you breathless as you root for the human, the cold and the vampire.

Black slowly and methodically builds up memorable characters with flashback style writing that will open a window into our main character, Tana's past and present from her point of view showing her struggle with the whole "vampire" apocalypse from a startlingly early age and how that affects her reactions today.  The pace can seem a bit slow (especially in the beginning), but it didn't seem to detour my interest as it seemed very fitting and definitely picks up later on.  Do not make the mistake of overlooking this gem of a novel because you're tired of vampires or it's not action packed in the first few chapters. 

I can't tell you how many times I read a synopsis now-a-days and think, "oh another supernatural/dystopian novel...hope this one isn't like the rest of them."  I can tell you, Coldtown is darker and does not have the expected fairytale "everyone is happy" ending.  Black does not hold back on the gruesome scenes, leaves out the whole love triangle bit (thank you) and even squashes and pokes some humor at the stereotypical vampire traits.  So if you're looking for that storybook ending...look elsewhere, but if you're looking for an action packed thrilling story of death, revenge, and love with a twist that will shock you, then this is definitely for you!

My synopsis in 50 words or less:

Human girl goes to party.  Girl wakes up to find everyone dead.  Girl frees ex-boyfriend and vampire, realizes she might be exposed and heads to the closest Coldtown.  Coldtown is not what it seems on TV.  Humans come there to become vampires and vampires rule Coldtown.  Girl kicks ass.

Synopisis according to Goodreads:

Tana lives in a world where walled cities called Coldtowns exist. In them, quarantined monsters and humans mingle in a decadently bloody mix of predator and prey. The only problem is, once you pass through Coldtown’s gates, you can never leave. 

One morning, after a perfectly ordinary party, Tana wakes up surrounded by corpses. The only other survivors of this massacre are her exasperatingly endearing ex-boyfriend, infected and on the edge, and a mysterious boy burdened with a terrible secret. Shaken and determined, Tana enters a race against the clock to save the three of them the only way she knows how: by going straight to the wicked, opulent heart of Coldtown itself.